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Verse 194: The Story of Many Bhikkhus

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (194) of this book,
with reference to many Bhikkhus.

Once, five hundred Bhikkhus were discussing the question "What creates happiness?"
These Bhikkhus realized, that happiness meant different things to different people. Thus,
they said, "To some people to have the riches and glory like that of a king's is happiness, to
some people sensual pleasure is happiness, but to others to have good rice cooked with meat
is happiness." While they were talking, the Buddha came in. After learning the subject of
their talk, the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, all the pleasures you have mentioned do not get you
out of the round of rebirths. In this world, these constitute happiness: The arising of a
Buddha, the opportunity to hear the Teaching of the Sublime Truth, and the harmony
amongst the Bhikkhus,"

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 194: Happy is the arising of a Buddha; happy is the exposition of the Ariya Dhamma;
happy is the harmony amongst the Sangha; happy is the practice of those in harmony.

At the end of the discourse the five hundred Bhikkhus attained Arahatship.

Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.,
Burma Pitaka Association, Rangoon, Burma 1986.